Celeriac, Apple and Stilton Soup
This is a warming soup with well balanced flavours as the apple softens the sharpness of the Stilton.
Portions: 4 -6 Portions
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 35-45 minutes
Ingredients
- 25g onion, sliced
- 25g white of leek, sliced
- 50g celery, chopped
- 300g celeriac, peeled and chopped
- 70g butter
- 70g flour
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 500ml thin bechamel sauce*
- bouquet garni
- 200g apple, peeled, cored and diced
- 150g Stilton
- 150ml double cream
- Maldon salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 apple
- 100g celeriac
- 12 Chervil leaves (optional)
- 60ml double cream
Method
- Soup: Place the butter in a saucepan over a moderate heat and cook the vegetables so that the onion is soft and they are without colour.
- Gradually mix in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook slowly for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Bring the stock to a boil and gradually stir it in to the saucepan with the vegetables. Bring to the boil and add the bouquet garni and a little seasoning. Leave to simmer for 30 minutes, skimming when necessary
- Remove the bouquet garni and add the apple and stir in the bechamel sauce. Bring it to the boil and reduce to a simmer and cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Remove the soup from the heat and liquidise it in batches with the cream and Stilton, in a food processor or blender (be careful not to overfill it or it will spill out).
- Return the soup to a clean pan and reheat. Adjust the seasoning and consistency by adding a little stock and cream if necessary. You should have a smooth creamy consistency, that pourable and will coat the back of a spoon.
- Garnish: Celeriac and Apple balls: With a solorino scoop (small melon baller) remove 12 balls of both apple and Stilton, placing them in a bowl of water with lemon juice. Blanch the balls in boiling water so that they are just soft and return them to the water a and lemon juice and set aside.
- To Serve: Heat the soup, and pour into warm soup bowls, place 2 balls of apple and celeriac in each bowl. Garnish with a little cream and chervil leaves (optional).